Researchers from Heidelberg University have uncovered a massive stone relief in the throne room of King Assurbanipal’s palace at ancient Nineveh. The discovery took place inside the North Palace during excavations on Kuyunjik Hill in Mosul, Iraq. This large carving weighs 12 tonnes and measures 5.5 meters by 3 meters. It depicts King Assurbanipal flanked by powerful divine figures.
The relief shows Assur, the chief god of the Assyrians, and Ištar, the goddess of Nineveh, standing protectively beside the king. Behind them are a fish-like protective spirit and a scorpion man raising their arms in reverence. The presence of these figures suggests that a large winged sun disc once hovered above the king, symbolizing divine approval. No other known Assyrian palace relief shows such a combination of divine companions.
The relief was found buried in an ancient pit that dates back to the Hellenistic period. Researchers believe this burial explains why 19th-century British expeditions missed it. Those earlier excavations documented and removed many other palace reliefs, which are now displayed in the British Museum in London. The burial might reflect cultural tensions or a repurposing of palace space during the Hellenistic era, a time about which little is known at Nineveh.
Since 2022, Heidelberg University has led research at Kuyunjik Hill through the Nineveh Project. This initiative began in 2018 and aims to explore the North Palace’s history and legacy. In cooperation with Iraq’s State Board of Antiquities, the researchers plan to restore the relief and return it to its original location in the palace. The carving will be prepared for public viewing in the future.
Scientists continue to analyze the discovery and will publish results in academic journals. This find is expected to reshape understanding of Assyrian art, ritual, and royal theology. The excavation team plans to expand their work in the palace’s core area, hoping to uncover further important discoveries.